Desperate Journey (1942)

When the crew of a downed British bomber escape from their Nazi captors with Top Secret intelligence, they make a desperate journey to get out of Germany alive.

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writer:

Arthur T. Horman (original screenplay)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Coleman

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Errol Flynn	...	Flight Lt. Terrence 'Terry' Forbes
Ronald Reagan	...	Flying Officer Johnny Hammond
Nancy Coleman	...	Kaethe Brahms
Raymond Massey	...	Major Otto Baumeister
Alan Hale	...	Flight Sergeant Kirk Edwards
Arthur Kennedy	...	Flying Officer Jed Forrest
Ronald Sinclair	...	Flight Sergeant Lloyd Hollis
Albert Bassermann	...	Dr. Mather (as Albert Basserman)
Sig Ruman	...	Preuss
Patrick O'Moore	...	Squadron Leader Lane-Ferris
Felix Basch	...	Hermann Brahms
Ilka Grüning	...	Frau Brahms (as Ilka Gruning)
Elsa Bassermann	...	Frau Raeder (as Else Basserman)
Charles Irwin	...	Captain Coswick
Richard Fraser	...	Squadron Leader Clark

Storyline

When Flight Lt Forbes and his crew are shot down after bombing their target, they discover valuable information, about a hidden German aircraft factory, that must get back to England. In their way across Germany, they try and cause as much damage as possible. Then with the chasing Germans about to pounce, they come up with an ingenious plan to escape.

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Plot Keywords:

escape | bombing | nazi | factory | airforce | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

26 September 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fugitivos del infierno

Filming Locations:

Lake Sherwood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Ronald Reagan's character is awakened, he complains that in his dream he had a date with Ann Sheridan. Reagan had played opposite Sheridan three teams including his two previous features, "Juke Girl" and "Kings Row."

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Goofs

When Hammond drops the bomb from the captured German plane near the end, he tells Forbes that he unloaded it on the battery of guns that had been pasting Dover. In fact, it's obvious that the target shown being blown up consists of wooden buildings, but definitely not gun batteries.

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Quotes

Maj. Otto Baumeister: We have decent instincts, but we have also an iron fist!

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Connections

Referenced in Shadows (1959)

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Soundtracks

"Waltzing Matilda"
(1895) (uncredited)
Original music by Christina Macpherson (1895)
(Based on the Scottish tune "Craigielee", music by James Barr, with words by Robert Tannahill)
Revised music by Marie Cowan (1903)
Lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (1895)
Partially sung a cappella by Errol Flynn

User Reviews

Desperate Journey

I just love this picture. It was the first movie I ever saw and I keep coming back to it because it's pure escapism. Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan were never better than in this World War II saga of Royal Air Forcers downed behind enemy lines. They escape Nazi capture and take the audience on a rousing adventure as they make a high spirited bid to reach home. Never a dull moment, this is an obvious precursor to the Indiana Jones films. Raymond Massey is pure evil as the Nazi commandant who relentlessly pursues the fliers. Arthur Kennedy and Alan Hale provide able support and welcome humor as RAF comrades sharing in the robust flight across Germany. Not to be missed!